In South Carolina, critically endangered tortoises slurp pumpkin soup from a pumpkin shell
A seasonal treat for tortoises
The three Asian giant tortoises recently ate pumpkin soup at the Turtle Survival Center. The center served it in a pumpkin bowl as a seasonal treat. Keeper Carly Sprott said pumpkin offers hydration, vitamins A and C, and fiber that supports digestion. She said the turtles receive balanced meals of fresh salads and proteins, with pumpkin offered only occasionally.
The center also prepares seasonal treats such as hollowed-out watermelons in summer. Sprott said the tortoises follow staff around their enclosure hoping for extra food.
The center’s first residents
The trio arrived at the South Carolina center in 2013 and were its first turtles. They had been taken from the wild legally in the 1990s, before stricter turtle conservation regulations were in place.
The center does not name most of its hundreds of turtles, but these three are called Emy-Sue, Emy-Jane, and Emy-Phay. Their names draw on the species’ scientific name, Manouria emys phayrei. When not eating, the tortoises soak in fresh-water pools, warm beneath heat lamps, and roam in a large outdoor space.
A threatened forest species
Its primary threats include habitat destruction and collection for local consumption, as well as the pet and food trades. The turtles also support ecosystems by dispersing seeds, digging burrows used by other animals, and eating algae and invasive plants that can affect water quality.
The Turtle Survival Center houses 27 turtle and tortoise species, including some of the world’s most endangered. Sprott encouraged people to clean litter from waterways, support local conservation, and respect wildlife in its habitat.
Key points
- Three critically endangered Asian giant tortoises enjoyed pumpkin soup at a South Carolina rescue center.
- Keeper Carly Sprott says pumpkin provides hydration, vitamins A and C, and fiber, but is an occasional treat.
- The trio were the center’s first turtles, arriving in 2013, and are named Emy-Sue, Emy-Jane, and Emy-Phay.
- Habitat destruction and collection for consumption and trade threaten Asian giant tortoises.